National Basketball Association

NBA players return, month after scheduled opener

Published Dec. 1, 2011 4:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

Exactly a month after the NBA's scheduled season opener, players are back to work.

Owners opened the doors of their facilities Thursday for the first time since locking players out July 1. Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony were among the superstars who hit the floor on the first day allowed - and promptly faced questions about the chances of playing together in New York.

Players could work out but the coaching staffs couldn't be present since there isn't a new labor deal. Players still must re-form the union, which would resume negotiations with owners on the remaining issues in hopes of having everything wrapped up so training camp can open next Friday.

Anthony isn't worried, saying he doesn't ''think they would've opened the doors up'' if there were concerns about a delay.